By Greg Friese
As challenging as marathons can be, no one expects to collapse from cardiac arrest while engaging in competition. Having completed six marathons, I know the challenges that both runners face to get to the finish and EMS professionals face to provide special event coverage. Whether you’re a marathoner or a paramedic, attention and preparation are essential to maximize the chance of safe outcomes.
Seeing as major marathons often draw crowds equivalent to the population of a medium city, EMS professionals should prepare by considering the event a predictable MCI. In planning, ask yourself the following questions:
1. What kind of medical support will the race organization provide? How many medical staff and volunteers will there be? What are their credentials? Where will they be located on the race course?
2. What type of equipment and how much will be on site? Don’t even think about not having an AED. The question is how many you need, and where they should be placed. Make sure everyone involved in the response effort has what they need to do their job.
3. What will the protocol be for transport? Does the emergency plan include transport? Some events are so big that they possess their own medical team without the help of local county responders; however, they might not include transport. Make sure a plan to get ambulances on and off the course is in place, with designated entry and exit points. With thousands of people packed onto a narrow road, it may not be possible to run lights and sirens and blaze down the street to the patient. Think strategically about making easily accessible pick-up locations.
4. How will the volunteers be trained? If every volunteer has even the most basic training and knowledge – such as where the AED is located or how to do chest compressions – chances for survival can be greatly increased.
Despite even the best preparation, circumstances exist that are beyond our control. However, a clear and comprehensive preplan never hurts, and more often than not, drastically helps.
Greg Friese is an e-learning specialist, author, presenter and paramedic.